Kudos to Board of Supervisors for
unanimous approval of independent police auditor; now on to the Civilian Review
Panel.
By Mary Kimm
#The Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors voted to create the position and office of independent police
auditor on Tuesday, Sept. 20, creating the first civilian, independent
oversight of law enforcement in Fairfax County. The unanimous vote demonstrated
the board’s commitment to the ongoing process that began early in 2015 when
Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova established the 32-member Ad Hoc
Police Practices Review Commission.
#Police Chief Edwin Roessler
expressed strong support for two keystone recommendations of the Ad Hoc
Commission, the auditor and the Civilian Review Panel, next up for
consideration and implementation by the Board of Supervisors.
#Many commission recommendations
have already been approved, including the establishment of the Diversion First
program providing treatment rather than jail for people in mental health
crisis, development of an overriding use of force policy, and more transparency
in police communications.
#Independent oversight and
civilian participation in reviewing police use of force, officer-involved
shootings and citizen complaints will play a vital role in maintaining Fairfax
County Police Department’s reputation as being one of the very best law
enforcement organizations in the nation.
#Some critics complain that the
final language approving the auditor limits the independence of the office, but
the auditor will be briefed on investigations contemporaneously, providing a
window of oversight and sunshine not previously in place. There are more than
200 different civilian oversight structures around the country. While civilian
oversight is a national best practice, the President’s Task Force on 21st
Century Policing recommends that every community have community oversight of
police, with each community developing the model that is best locally.
#Public Safety Committee chair
John Cook (R-Braddock) is tasked with shepherding major recommendations through
the Board of Supervisors. He pointed out that the specifics of the approval for
the auditor are not locked in stone; revisions after a period of experience
would not be surprising.
#Recommendations by the
Independent Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the Fairfax County
model included establishing the Independent Police Auditor and establishing a
Civilian Review Panel to respond to community concerns or complaints about alleged
incidents of abuse of authority by the FCPD.
#The panel as proposed would not
conduct investigations and would not be involved in the disciplinary process
for any officer, but would review select investigations after they are
complete. The panel would also not overlap duties with the auditor.
#The panel could issue public
reports, and meet with the auditor periodically, providing its views to the
Board of Supervisors and the chief of police as to policy and practices changes
that may be warranted. The panel could also hold periodic public forums around
the county to gather information and suggestions about the FCPD, public
perceptions and recommendations for policy and procedure, involving other
police advisory committees and members of the Board of Supervisors as
appropriate.
#Indications are that there will
be some modifications to the proposal for the Civilian Review Panel over the
coming weeks. It’s a good time for those with interest to tune in.
#The board’s Public Safety
Committee will discuss the creation of a Civilian Review Panel at its next
meeting, scheduled for Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government
Center.
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